Re: High blood pressure on the NuvaRing.
From: Tara (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon Jan 30 19:32:59 2006
Hi Tara,
Thanks for the message! What is adeno like for you? I'm starting to
think that I may have some of the symptoms of it. I read that it can
cause abnormal bleeding, pelvic, bladder, and rectal problems all of
which I have. I know it involves the endometrium invading the
myometrium or something like that. My doctor has also found some endo
on these places too, so who knows. The gym bleed that I had was sudden
and did seem to happen with exercise. I did it again with physical
activity yesterday. Its really getting annoying. I have had about one
week in January that didn't involve spotting or bleeding and I'm on a
continuous birth control pill. AAHHH!!!!
As for getting a cervical biopsy, I wouldn't be scared. My best friend
has a condition called cervical dysplagia that produces abnormal cells,
but is not cancerous. She always gets biopsies and they turn out the
same way. If you have a good pap, then maybe your gyno is just being
extra precautionary due to your bleeding history and adeno and stuff.
I'm not completely sure, take into account that I work with mostly male
patients in an ICU:) My gynecology is extremely weak as far as nursing
goes!!:)
Thanks for the advice about my mom! Good luck with all of your
appointments. My pre-op is Friday 3rd, and my lap is on the 13th also!
Thank goodness its not Friday the 13th for two of us:) I'll be thinking
of you. Let me know what your doc says after your pre-op!
:),
Tara
At Sun, 29 Jan 2006, Tara wrote:
>
>Hi Tara,
>
>Good to hear you are fighting hard. Sorry to hear about your side
>effects. They sound really lousy. I didn't get to read your other post
>about bleeding at the gym because I couldn't find it, but I hear ya.
>That is the weirdest thing because I used to bleed at the gym as well.
>Partly how I found out I had adeno. It's like something cracks while
>your working out and the flood gates open. Like I popped a bottle of
>champagne but not nearly as fun. Is that what it is like for you? Still
>really impressed with the Prometrium so far no gym bleeds, but I still
>get scared it will happen.
>
>I know what you mean about side effects and waiting to see what happens.
>I get so optimistic and am usually disappointed down the road. Again
>though no bleeding and the minor side effects I got initially from
>Prometrium are subsiding. I just think this is a miracle. I'll let you
>know if the flood gates open again before my surgery. Thanks for asking
>about my appointments. My pre-op is Feb. 6th, the surgery is Feb 13th
>and my post op is the week after. She wants to do a cervical biopsy on
>the 6th and maybe you could tell me why. I'm pretty scared she thinks I
>might have cancer. I've never had an abnormal pap so why the biopsy? Do
>you think this might be routine? Sorry to pick your brain, but it's so
>great to have a nurse here. There used to be doctors on this site, but
>they don't seem to be here anymore.
>
>Sorry to hear about your troubles with your mom. Mom's can be pains in
>the butt. Hang in there and think maybe she probably is dealing with
>menopause or something she can't control. It's good to know she is
>there for you and maybe you could let her know how much you appreciate
>that and then tell her to keep her big mouth shut. LOL!!
>
>Are you still having your lap on the 13th? I hope it goes really well
>for you. Some of my close friends have had very successful ones which
>have lasted years so far. I'm praying you have the same outcome. How
>did your test go?
>
>Hang in there,
>
>Tara
>
>At Fri, 27 Jan 2006, Tara wrote:
>>
>>Hi Tara!
>>
>>Thanks for the site! I'm going to go to it today. I just started
>>another little period. I'm cramping like crazy and my ovaries feel like
>>they are on fire today. I took a Tramadol and feel much better now. (I
>>hate taking pain pills:) I don't know what it is about that drug for me,
>>but it calms my abdomen down. I don't think my current treatment is
>>working too well. I keep bleeding like you said you did until you took
>>Prometrium. I may have to try it, especially after my lap on the 13th.
>>I'm going to try to walk a little at the gym later. This time I'm going
>>fully "period prepared" with a towel and everthing!!! ;)
>>
>>Estrace/Estradiol is estrogen, but more natural and in a lesser dose
>>than what is in a birth control pill. Another MD explained that it is
>>about 1/4th to 1/5th of what is in a BCP. The ladies at my work laugh
>>because I tell them I'm in menopause with them and now I'm on the meds
>>to prove it:) Since I have had high blood pressure from combination
>>method pills/ring etc, my doctor is very cautious about giving me any
>>estrogen at all. The problem with this is that progestin only methods
>>give me a lot of side effects too. I lose my hair, lots of acne,
>>nausea, and actually threw up in a patient's room at work! He came in
>>with a heart attack and was throwing up and then so did I in his trash
>>can:) He looked at the rest of the crew in the room and said while
>>pointing at me, "Is this my nurse?" I think I gave him great
>>confidence:) I'm trying to find a good balance. The problem with any of
>>the treatments we take is that there is always that adjustment period of
>>time where you don't quite know what your body is going to do and you
>>feel like crap in the mean time.
>>
>>Thanks for your good luck wishes for my test! I studied yesterday for
>>about three hours. If I can get rid of this cramping today I'm going to
>>do the same thing. Thank goodness the Tramadol doesn't affect my brain.
>>I can still study:) I feel like a fighter right now. I get mad at my
>>body and go to the gym or study, even though these are the last things I
>>feel like doing. Let me know when you are going for your hyst or any
>>pre-op appointments. Have a great day out there in wine country!
>>
>>At Thu, 26 Jan 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>
>>>Hi Tara,
>>>
>>>Here is the website I found for Prometrium and endo:
>>>
>>> http://www.cemcor.ubc.ca/ask/qa_endometriosis.shtml
>>>
>>>I don't know anything about the website except for that I think her
>>>theory about endo and Prometrium sound correct. I don't think anyone
>>>knows enough yet to be sure, but even Dr. Cook on his website compares
>>>Prometrium and I think he said (my brain again) Depot Provera as similar
>>>agents.
>>>In my opinion from what I've read, Depot Provera is only tolerated well
>>>by a few people. Those who can use it, love it. I can't seem to
>>>tolerate any artificial progesterones. I went of the Prometrium for 7
>>>days, but it varies and some people go off for 2 weeks or more. On the
>>>site I sent you she states to use it every day for 6 months. The site
>>>mentions using 300mg in the morning and 300 mg at night. At that rate
>>>I'd be flat on my butt. At 200mg at night I was dizzy and tired. I
>>>guess it varies for each person. Now that I'm back on it and feeling
>>>soooo much better and sleeping a better I am going to take it straight
>>>up until the surgery date. When I went off for the 7 days I did not get
>>>a period, but I had all the sensations (cramping, mood swings). So
>>>weird. I've been bleeding almost non-stop since Sept. 05 and since
>>>I've used this Prometrium I haven't bled since Jan 5th 06 which has
>>>given me a lot of energy back.
>>>
>>>Sorry to hear about your skin. Pro-Active does sound really good on
>>>those ads. What exactly is Estrace?
>>>
>>>I hope you pass your Critical Care Exam!! I know you will pass it the
>>>first time around. You've got a great mind!!
>>>
>>>Thanks for all your support. I'm glad your mom did well with her Hyst.
>>>Sounds like she battled a lot from reading your other posts. Glad it
>>>all worked out for her.
>>>
>>>Let me know if you try the Prometrium,
>>>
>>>Tara
>>>
>>>At Tue, 24 Jan 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>>
>>>>Tara, it's Tara!! Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm glad you are going
>>>>through with a hysterectomy. I'm single, but if I had a husband and a
>>>>child I would have my doctor take it all out too. My Mom stated that it
>>>>finally gave her the relief that she needed. How many days do you have
>>>>to go without the Prometrium? Do you have a period during the break from
>>>>the pills? Its nice to hear that your skin and hair look better. My
>>>>skin looks like a pizza right now since I started Estrace with my POP.
>>>>Since I'm not sleeping too well right now, I'm starting to think those
>>>>cheesy ads for Proactive Solution are looking great:)
>>>>
>>>>I give you credit for getting a Master's degree with endo. It is very
>>>>easy to give up. I know all about the foggy head that you get somtimes,
>>>>or pre-alzheimer's feeling. I also HAD a visual, almost photogenic,
>>>>memory while gettting my Bachelor's degree. Now, its just getting
>>>>mushy. I'm trying to study for a critical care exam and its so hard.
>>>>The material is such that often many "normal thinking/non-endo" people
>>>>fail the first time around. I feel like I'm trying to really fight to
>>>>concentrate and study like I need to. Its like twice the work it used
>>>>to be, but you know if I pass it, it will be such a power over the
>>>>disease!! Thanks for caring!! - Tara
>>>>
>>>>At Tue, 24 Jan 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>Dear Tara,
>>>>>
>>>>>I think it's just you and me (as Tara's) here, but you could be right
>>>>>the name might be cursed. ARGHH!! LOL!!
>>>>>
>>>>>I used the POP pill for awhile myself and had less side effects than
>>>>>from the pill, but hated the bloated, gross feeling I had on it. I
>>>>>gained so much weight. I'm definitely not losing any hair on
>>>>>Prometrium. In fact my hair looks better than it has in awhile. I was
>>>>>losing hair on some of the combo BCP's though so it's nice it's finally
>>>>>getting back and looking normal. My skin also looks better, although I
>>>>>did get my first zit in a long time, it was sure better than having dry
>>>>>old looking skin like on the pill.
>>>>>I know what you mean about feeling hormonally screwed up. It comes with
>>>>>the territory of this disease. I felt pretty weird when I turned 30 and
>>>>>thought it was simply age, and then came the flooding and the diagnosis.
>>>>>Up until that point I had a near photographic memory, was doing really
>>>>>well in school, raising 2 kids and working while doing my master's
>>>>>program and then duhh!! I have no brain anymore. It's really scary what
>>>>>can happen. I went to a lot of doctors fearing I was either dying of a
>>>>>brain tumor or getting early Alzheimer's. I do think I may be starting
>>>>>a perimenopause (am 38) as my sister finished hers at 46 (she suffered
>>>>>with endo forever and subsequently adeno), but no doctor will take me
>>>>>seriously on that one even though I hot flash all the time. My family
>>>>>even joked with me all the time because I was contstantly sweating. Now
>>>>>that I take the Prometrium though I'm cool all the time. So weird.
>>>>>Sorry I'm digressing. I'm now on the non-Prometrium days and I'm having
>>>>>more trouble sleeping, feeling all over the place emotionally (not as
>>>>>bad though as on the pill), am cramping and feel like I'm about to start
>>>>>my period any moment, but don't. On Prometrium days I did a lot better.
>>>>>I know for those who have used natural progesterone cream it takes a
>>>>>while for it to really build up in your system and work, but that's what
>>>>>they told me about the Mirena too, so it's probably the case for
>>>>>progesterone all the way around. Unfortunately I'm running out of time
>>>>>and don't want to experiment anymore. It looks as though I'll be going
>>>>>through with the hyst. The best reason I'm having the hyst. is that I
>>>>>just want to go live in peace with life and not in fear of my periods
>>>>>like I do now. The worst reason, but practical one, is that my husband
>>>>>who works 2 jobs is going to give up the benefits one and I'm afraid
>>>>>I'll be stuck later in pain and flooding with crappy insurance and not
>>>>>able to have it. I come from a long line of hysterectomies so I think
>>>>>it was probably my genetic curse. My sister was the only one who kept
>>>>>her uterus, but is now bleeding again 2 years post menopause. Yet
>>>>>another reason I decided to get rid of it. I do appreciate your concern
>>>>>greatly though.
>>>>>
>>>>>I hope you can try the Prometrium though. Your side effects will be
>>>>>much much lower than on BCP's or the POP. There are some new articles
>>>>>stating that natural progesterone should be used for 6 months straight
>>>>>for endo. and then things should dramatically improve. This research
>>>>>is pretty new though and you could use it any way it works for you. I
>>>>>use only 100mg a night and that seems like plenty for my body. Some
>>>>>people need more, and also some need less and use it vaginally to
>>>>>decrease side effects. If you try it let me know how it goes. I'll be
>>>>>pulling for you big time!!
>>>>>
>>>>>Take care and hope you get some sleep soon and some relief,
>>>>>
>>>>>Tara
>>>>>
>>>>>At Sun, 22 Jan 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>There are a lot of Tara's in this forum!! Maybe our name is cursed with
>>>>>>endo...just kidding!! :) I love the fact that you have found some relief
>>>>>>from Prometrium. I'm going to ask my doctor about it on the 3rd of Feb.
>>>>>>(pre-op appointment). I'm on a progestin only BCP and wonder what the
>>>>>>differences are? Prometrium is "progesterone in oil" according to my
>>>>>>drug book. Maybe it will work better for me. Do you get nauseated or
>>>>>>lose more hair on it? Those are some of the side effects that I get from
>>>>>>the prog. only pills. I feel so screwed up right now hormonally! I was
>>>>>>actually having contractions a couple of days ago and told my friends
>>>>>>that I felt like I was having a baby. (Never been pregnant and,
>>>>>>unfortunately, haven't had sex in awhile:) I swear I have been through
>>>>>>menopause and pregnancy now in one month!!! :) If you are finding relief
>>>>>>from Prometrium, I would defitely question getting a hysterectomy now.
>>>>>>It seems like the whole point of getting the organs out is pain relief
>>>>>>and you have found that so far. Have you talked to your doctor about
>>>>>>how well the medicine is working for you and your thoughts of postponing
>>>>>>such a drastic measure? Thank you for your suggestions at all times.
>>>>>>Feel free to email me!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>At Sun, 22 Jan 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Dear Tara,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I am also scheduled for surgery on Feb. 13th. A hysterectomy. Since
>>>>>>>using the Prometrium since Jan 1st though I am seriously considering
>>>>>>>cancelling my surgery. I feel incredible. I was due to take the
>>>>>>>Prometrium until the surgery date, but usually it is only prescribed for
>>>>>>>10-14 days and then the rest of the month somehow you are on your own.
>>>>>>>Since time was running out for me and it was working so well, I decided
>>>>>>>to test it out. I went on for 17 days and have been off now until today
>>>>>>>the 22nd. No bleeding, no pain. I know it's too early to tell, but
>>>>>>>nothing else had worked until now. I think this is a miracle because I
>>>>>>>saw no other way out of this except for a hyst. . Like you mention in
>>>>>>>a more recent post, I also have exercise induced bleeding. I don't
>>>>>>>exactly know why, but everytime I strained myself in any way, I'd just
>>>>>>>flood and flood. I have since taken a very strenuous yoga class, no
>>>>>>>bleeding. Today I went on a 3 mile walk, not even a spot. I have
>>>>>>>incredible energy to boot which I haven't felt since my 20's am now 38.
>>>>>>>I cannot believe this is happening. It almost seems unreal. If you are
>>>>>>>interested you should give it a try. I took 100mg a night for 17 days
>>>>>>>and like I said now am waiting for what I'm hoping will be a normal
>>>>>>>period. There are mild side effects such as sleepiness and some
>>>>>>>dizziness, mild cramping, but it goes away after the first week. I'm
>>>>>>>going to write the company and ask them to make it in 50mg pills so
>>>>>>>women can get the Progesterone they need without any side effects. I'll
>>>>>>>continue to let you know how it goes and if I really do have a normal
>>>>>>>period. This is very exciting!!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I hope your surgery goes really well and you find some relief very soon,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Tara
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>At Wed, 18 Jan 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Thank you Tara for your suggestion. I'm scheduled for a laparoscopy on
>>>>>>>>February 13th. and am hoping it will ease some of the pain, or at least
>>>>>>>>give me a definitive reason for it. I don't have a bleeding problem
>>>>>>>>like you do, but thanks for your Prometrium suggestion. I plan on
>>>>>>>>asking my doctor about it! I wonder if it will help with the pain? :)
>>>>>>>>Tara
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>At Tue, 17 Jan 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Hi Tara,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>I'm also Tara. I had to go to the emergency room the day after I went
>>>>>>>>>on the Nuvaring. My legs blew up like balloons. I'm now taking
>>>>>>>>>Prometrium and it's working well for me. Trying to figure out the
>>>>>>>>>appropriate dose, but I'm not bleeding anymore and I was flooding
>>>>>>>>>regularly before.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Good luck, it's tough to find a method that works well.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>--
>>>>>>>>>Tara
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>At Tue, 17 Jan 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Has anyone else had high blood pressure from the Nuva Ring? My doctor
>>>>>>>>>>thinks that it may be due to the vaginal route. My LDL level and total
>>>>>>>>>>cholesterol were also elevated (230's), and within one month of removing
>>>>>>>>>>the ring, my cholesterol level dropped 20 points and my HDL/LDL ratio
>>>>>>>>>>and levels were approaching normal. ONE MONTH!! Trying different kinds
>>>>>>>>>>of birth control pills and methods with endometriosis makes them all
>>>>>>>>>>seem like poison to my body after awhile! EVERYONE please check your
>>>>>>>>>>blood pressure regularly on combined pills and the NuvaRing. I only
>>>>>>>>>>found out about the high blood pressure because I had a bad headache one
>>>>>>>>>>day at work and a coworker suggested that I should check it.
>>>>>>>>>
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